Wednesdays with Mindy: The Day Our Technology Died
Last week, around 11:00pm Wednesday evening as I was scrambling to finish my Photoshop homework (which involved editing pics and building a Dreamweaver site)…I restarted my lagging, cranky laptop to let it take a brief rest before I completed the final leg of homework.
And it died.
It refused to boot back up, alternating between error message black screens, wouldn’t operate in safe mode. Eventually, after running all sorts of tests and fail-safes, it blue screened and never, ever recovered.
All my data on the laptop was lost. All of my schoolwork from last term. The last four family videos I’ve put together. All the scanned photos from my parents 30th wedding anniversary slide show. Several years worth of writing, including all my TV scripts and two complete movie scripts.
It was especially upsetting, because I had recently purchased $450 worth of Adobe Creative Design software. Thank the sweet and fluffy lords they allowed two downloads. I drove out to Fry’s in Wilsonville on Thursday night to pick up a brand new HP Pavilion laptop for around $770 (with a $50 mail-in rebate, dropping the price tag to $720).
Came back home and began downloading all the needed software to the machine, which is quite a bit better than what I lost (FINALLY, a machine I can successfully PC game with!). The specs can be found here, for anyone interested. The sound is incredible. You can use a finger-print scan to store all your passwords and automatically log into your machine. Basically, tons of cool nerdy things that made my heart flutter and soothed the stinging pain of losing everything.
AND THEN
My new computer died on Friday morning. Poor Dan, who was fighting a stomach flu both Thursday and Friday couldn’t conceive of what was happening. He also had to share some further ugly information…our external hard drive (what I call the dump drive) had also died. Well, a partition had failed, leaving the information contained on it hidden behind some wall we have to struggle to get over. Effectively, and for my sanity, I have to assume it is all gone, because any hope it can be repaired is setting me up for a nervous breakdown.
Yes, within a matter of 48 hours our external drive, my Dell and a second, brand new computer had inexplicably quit on us. All of our computing life went up in smoke. Our computer houses caught on fire, blazed up and nothing is left.
SO…
Guest Post: Dan’s Birthday List 2012
**Guest post by Dan Robertson, send all complaints to Dan@TheMindBullet.com
My birthday is rolling around (March 14th) and every year about this time I make up a list of things that have their awesome turned up to 11. You can expect random, expensive and amazing tech gadgets to follow:
#1. NFC Micro SD Card
Retail: $75ish (Price not final from Moneto)
My current phone is a LG G2x. Great little device, lots of power, great screen but no NFC. And I want Google Wallet. The NFC SD card from moneto debuted at CES 2012 and gives any iPhone/Blackberry/Android phone access to all the NFC goodness you could want! In case you are wondering the device is still an SD still has storage, only 4gb currenlty but they are working on more.
Finally! I can pay for a Big Mac with my phone!!
#2. JawBone Up
Retail: $99.99
I think this year is going to see a lot of devices that start to take advantage of your ubiquitous internet connection via your phone. I am speaking of watches that connect to you phone via Bluetooth and tell you who’s calling without having to take your phone out your pocket, or piloting a quadrocoper via remote video and your phone as the controller.
The Jawbone Up is a bracelet you wear, it works as a pedometer, tracks your location, and your sleep patterns (via the accelerometer), it uses your phones internet connection to upload this data and compile it into a readout that will help you better understand how you live and work. In addition it has a really cool wake feature. Since the Up is able to see and understand what level of sleep you are in, it can pick just the right time to wake you feeling refreshed and awake, it does so with a series of vibrations. I am excited to try this out and review the metadata it is able to collect on myself.
Creepy computer monitoring me from afar: Check!
#3. Bluetooth Headphones:
Retail: $47.99
A wireless headset is a pretty basic idea. I like the foam ‘earplug’ style, it’s like noise cancelling, but cheaper. I go through my $10.00 Target bought Skull Candy headphones about one pair a month. The reason is the damn jack, it’s ALWAYS BREAKING. So I have decided I want something without a jack. And here we go.
Now I can talk to myself like a crazy person walking down the street!
Tuesdays With Mindy: When Your Smart Phone Is Stolen
Well, almost stolen. Last Thursday evening around Midnight, I went to root around in my purse, dig my phone out and plug it into the charger for bed time. But it was nowhere to be found. After several attempts to call and locate it, I slugged into bed thinking the worst possible scenario. I’d left it at the gym and someone had stolen it.
Mindy and Her Smart Phone
That was further confirmed early Friday morning when we called around to 24 Hour Fitness AND Fred Meyer with no luck. I even desperately searched the area around the machine where I remember leaving it.
Back at home, crying sad crocodile tears of technology loss amidst a flurry of changing passwords – Dan messaged me on Google Talk to let me know I don’t need to change the password on our credit union account after all. Google Latitude (the creepy stalker App) was showing my G2 resting snuggly within a mile radius of our gym. Lo and behold, it was napping in the vault behind the front desk. I stopped by the desk, filled out some paperwork and my sweet little cell baby was back in my hands within 10 hours of realizing it had gone missing.
It was a happy ending to a crappy morning.
There was a brief two-hour period where I was pretty sure my phone was in the hands of a “bad guy.” And the tragic consequences that could have befallen me? Very tragic. All because I hadn’t the forethought to put any security measures on my device.
Before this experience, and before I had a chance to change my passwords, someone could have had complete access to my Google (Gmail, Calendar, Google Docs), Facebook, WordPress, Netflix, Credit Union and Kindle/Amazon accounts.
How do you make your phone more secure in case you leave it somewhere stupid like an elliptical machine at your local gym?
The Social Network Link Love: 10/22/2010
After reading The Accidental Billionaires and watching The Social Network last night and then discussing – I’m feeling a bit burnt out on discussing it in-depth and rehashing comments I’ve previously made.
There’s also so much good writing out there exploring elements of the film and book which are problematic, that I want to just link-spam the hell out of this post and leave it there. I am not familiar enough with the subject matters (elite schools, final clubs, programming, start-ups, silicon valley, etc) to wax effusive or effective.
And the points which concerned me have all been nicely covered by those in the fields or with a greater stake in making said points.
My general take on the book is that it really shouldn’t be labeled non-fiction and the subject matter would have best been tackled by someone with more journalism and research skills. I missed Zuckerberg as a character – he was entirely absent from the book.
Therefore, his presence in the film is immense. Jesse Eisenberg was quite captivating at being something other than a more cutting version of Michael Cera. I was also pleasantly surprised by Andrew Garfield’s depiction of Eduardo, who was just as unlikable on page as the other characters (the Winkelvii, Zuckerberg), but came off as being very human and sympathetic in the film.
Zuckerberg did get tapped as being an asshole and that statement, to me is neither here nor there. Did he do something illegal? No. Did he do something moral repugnant? Probably. Is that a standard practice in business ventures and start-ups? Most likely. When there are billions of dollars to be made – someone is eventually going to be an asshole. Especially the CEO or CFO or whoever the hell is in a leadership role. It’s their job.
It did really feel like the film was trying to push the agenda that Zuckerberg wanted to impress the ladiez AND the final clubs. Which I don’t buy. I was more convinced, and am quite certain, that Zuckerberg is an artist and programming is his medium. I could relate to his singular vision and the drive to create. This article echoes my sentiments.
What separates this film from being a modern-day Citizen Kane is the lack of a narrative. Zuckerberg is not boot straps people. In fact, there’s little to no mention of where this brilliant soul emerged from. His rags to riches story is more of a North Face fleece to riches story, which isn’t all that spectacular. Loads of smart, nerdy kids poised in position for opportunity find success.
LINK LOVE AFTER THE CUT…
Unleashing the Force
So – I have a confession to make. In the last four days, I spent AT LEAST 10 hours playing video games. OK, just one video game in particular. Are you ready?
This is highly unlike me. It’s rare that a video game out there manages to capture my interest with it’s attractiveness, easy playing style, and storytelling.
And most of those that do hook me end up being some kind of RPG style entity – a few that I’ve fallen for over the last few years:
And of course – World of Warcraft. I was pretty much logging like 3-4 hours a night for a three month stretch back in 2005. Yes, bask in the nerdiness of that statement. But I haven’t touched that game since then.
So – by and large I’m not a huge gamer. I enjoy RPG style outings (though I never really got into Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess) and interactive games like Wii Sports, Guitar Hero, Rock Band and DDR. But I don’t read gaming magazines, or track release dates for games. It’s just not my thing.
So, this game is one of those rare exceptions.
Dan purchased The Force Unleashed for the Wii console exactly one week ago. He played a little last Friday night while I paged insanely through Twilight, trying to ignore the John Williams orchestrations and blaster shots.
My level of interest in Star Wars waxes and wanes, and for the most part – I could care less about spaceships and aliens. However, I happened to glance up now and then last Friday evening and thought…shit, this thing has a STORY. And the voice-acting and characterizations aren’t half bad.
Dan caught me eye-balling, and then practically insisted I duel him.
Of course, he soundly kicked my ass several times and I threw the controls down in frustration. But despite the brutal beating – I enjoyed being able to wield a light saber and use incredibly fun force powers (push, choke, repel, electricity). Since adequate dueling requires that the champions be on equal footing, Dan suggested I start up a game and figure out how to use the powers.
And then I was hooked.
Portland Says: Plug It In
So, I was surprised to drum up this fancy piece of information this afternoon will scanning through my RSS Feeds. I suppose that’s one thing that I’ve always loved about Portland, the city’s ability to look towards the future. And/or copy California/Seattle. 
I’m not unaware of the fact that what PGE REALLY wants…is to corner the market on what they see as a potential future revenue stream. I’m also aware of the extra “burden” Priuses place on the grid. Like I’ve countered before…investing in sustainable energy sources is the best way to ensure this burden is not TOO GREAT.
It’s unfortunate the government has just put the TWO YEAR pause on building any new Solar Power Plants. Of course, the Right is blaming the Dems, and the Dems are blaming the administration. I don’t care whose fault it is…if people could just stop being fucking idiots and plan for the future a little bit, the world would be a better place. Maybe. Sort of.
Despite all the bitching and moaning of people here in Portland, I think P-Town has done a great job in preparing for a future where gas prices are $4.50 a gallon. The future is now.
We have awesome transportation systems, which are being expanded as I type. A few of the biggest projects are the MAX expansion from Clackamas to Portland State University and the Columbia River Crossing bridge expansion between Vancouver and Portland…which will hopefully include some kind of light rail option (or rapid bus transit).
Also of note is Toyota’s unveiling of plug-in hybrids set to roll out in 2010. I wish I could say that my freakin’ Prius will be paid off by then, but such is not the case. *Shrug* So, we’ll see what happens. Oh, and I guess John McCain can write out that check to the engineers at Toyota, if he really wants to embrace new technologies.
Or maybe hire this guy before he dies. Or both of them do.
Much Love, Mindy C
Old-iana Jones
Or rather – Harrison Ford is old. And therefore, it’s rather frightening to watch him leap about like a monkey, take punches to the face, and swing around on vines. As I watched him (or his stunt double) performing these heroic feats, in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” I couldn’t help but wrinkle my nose in concern.
He’s too damn old to be leaping from that amphibious vehicle! He can’t possibly survive that fall! Isn’t it about time for a nap or a cheaply priced dinner buffet?
I was way too worried about him the entire movie, to properly enjoy myself. Not that there was much enjoying to be had, with Dan huffing and puffing and groaning in the seat next to me. He was no happy camper, I can tell you that much.
I did enjoy a wicked cool Russian accent from Cate Blanchett (who has mesmerizing eyes) and was annoyed/entertained by Shia Lebouf‘s hair. Sadly, Shia was a fairly wasted actor – and what was with him crying? Action heroes should not cry multiple times in one movie. It’s…weird. I had hoped Hollywood learned this lesson when Hugh Jackman sobbed multiple times in X3. It wasn’t pretty.
In summary: “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” is just the latest tripe hacked up from the back throat of George Lucas, and spat straight in the eye of the American audience.
I’m not a huge devotee of either trilogy: Star Wars or Indiana Jones. So – their desecration is not a sacriligeous affair to me. Its just annoying. And proves to me that this guy has no new or original ideas, just plenty of ways to capitalize financially on the old ones.
Here’s the deal: You cultivate a legacy of good film making. And then you’re supposed to leave it alone. Collect your millions and retreat to your fortress in some remote location and die a happy fat old man.
Thems the rules. When you consistently break the rules – no one will like you anymore.
Movies such as “Indiana Jones 4″ and “Clerks 2″ are why film-makers should not be allowed to write, direct, produce, and edit movies.
Movies are a collaborative effort. You need to have someone who can look you in the eye and tell you the film sucks.
This film pretty much sucked.
I’m highly tempted to blame it on the digital format that I watched it in, however. There is nothing more horrid to the human eye than going to a movie theatre and experiencing crystal clear picture. So clear it sears the retinas.
I was not impressed, and put on my reading glasses during the previews to add sufficient blur. I kept them on the entire film, just to rest my eyes from the strain of the TOO CLEAR picture in front of me.
If this is the future of cinema, count me out. I’ll take a print with a scratchy reel any day of the week.
Blu-Ray sucks too.
Much Love, Mindy C
tinyheroes
Dan
